Woman says Beaverton schools flier promotes bond

BEAVERTON -- A Washington County elections activist has filed a complaint against the Beaverton School District, claiming district leaders broke the law with a promotional postcard regarding a $195 million bond campaign.

In a letter to the Oregon Secretary of State's Elections Division, Ruth Bendl, 66, claimed a postcard she received last week from the Beaverton School District stopped "short of requesting a Yes vote."

Under Oregon elections law, public employees are not permitted to use work time campaigning on elections.

Voters are considering the Beaverton School District's $195 million construction bond on ballots due Tuesday.

The postcard that Bendl received Saturday at her Cedar Hills home states, "Remember to vote!" The postcard also includes information on what passage of the bond would accomplish, including paying for two new elementary schools and two new option high schools. The postcard does not include the cost of the bond to property owners, which would be about 51 cents for each $1,000 of a property's assessed value.

Maureen Wheeler, school district spokeswoman, says it was not district leaders' intent to advocate for the bond. She says the district has sent out several publications, including online material, that state the cost of the bond. The district spent $18,000 on last week's mailing.

"We've always been very clear about what our cost is," Wheeler said.

Norma Buckno, compliance specialist with the Secretary of State's Elections Division, says the state will launch an inquiry, which will take at least a month. If the state finds the district violated the law, the maximum penalty would be $250.

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